Kenya and South Sudan seek to strengthen bilateral ties through enhanced security collaboration

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen shakes hands with South Sudan’s Minister of Interior, Aleu Ayieny Aleu and other officials (PHOTO/https://web.facebook.com/OnesimusKipchumbaMurkomen)

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has held talks with South Sudan’s Minister of Interior, Aleu Ayieny Aleu, aimed at strengthening cooperation on border security and immigration management between the two neighbouring countries.

Writing on X on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, after the meeting, held during a courtesy call by the South Sudanese minister, Murkomen noted that the meeting underscored the long-standing diplomatic relationship between Kenya and South Sudan, which is anchored on shared history, trade, cultural ties and strong people-to-people relations.

The CS noted that the discussions focused on enhancing collaboration to secure the shared border and improve immigration management, as the two countries seek to address cross-border security challenges while facilitating the legitimate movement of people and trade.

“Kenya and the Republic of South Sudan enjoy close diplomatic ties rooted in trade, history, culture and people-to-people relations. This afternoon, I held a meeting with the South Sudanese Minister of Interior, Hon. Aleu Ayieny Aleu, who paid me a courtesy call. Our meeting focused on deepening our collaboration on border security and immigration management,” Murkomen said.

Statement by Kipchumba Murkomen.PHOTO/A screengrab by People Daily Digital posted by https://web.facebook.com/OnesimusKipchumbaMurkomen

Focus on regional security

The meeting comes amid continued efforts by Kenya and South Sudan to strengthen regional security cooperation under existing bilateral and regional frameworks.

Border security and immigration management remain key priorities for both governments, given the strategic importance of their shared border in promoting trade, combating transnational crime and facilitating the movement of citizens.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen poses for a photo with South Sudan’s Minister of Interior, Aleu Ayieny Aleu and other officials. PHOTO/https://web.facebook.com/OnesimusKipchumbaMurkomen

The engagement also reflects the commitment by Nairobi and Juba to deepen diplomatic relations through closer cooperation between their interior and security agencies.

Kenya has maintained strong diplomatic and economic ties with South Sudan over the years, with the two countries continuing to collaborate on peace, security and regional integration initiatives within the East African Community and the wider Horn of Africa.

Source: https://peopledaily.digital/news/kenya-and-south-sudan-seek-to-strengthen-bilateral-ties-through-enhanced-security-collaboration